Monday, December 22, 2014

And I sit down today to type out a "quick" post, and find that the "photo organizing fairy" did NOT do her job organizing my photos. Slacker.

Hmph.

Well, anyway.

A run-down:

Monday's activity was Christmas shopping with Daddy!!! Sadly, I didn't get any photos that day. But....

Tuesday we decorated a Gingerbread House, and I *did* manage to snap a few that day.

My most favorite surprise that day... The Gingerbread House was ALREADY put together!! All we had to do was decorate. You can't understand how happy that made me - the mama who cannot, for the life of her, get a house to stick together.

Wednesday was spent making Gingerbread Men... Annnnd stars!!

On Thursday we drove out to my MIL's office to have hot cocoa and donuts with her (and also to answer her phone, and pound on her 10-Key).

And Thursday night we surprised the girls with a drive to a local light display.

One of our most favorite traditions, we look forward to browsing this awesome display each year.

Friday's activity was a Spaghetti Dinner and watching Elf :)

And Saturday.

At last!!! Kam has been counting down the days until her recital since September!

Oh how my heart just melts when I watch my girls on stage.

Kam looked so beautiful.

She just shines up there ❤️

Sunday, after church, we baked!!

Each year my mom, sister, and niece come out for a cookie baking party. This year my sister and niece couldn't make it 😢 But my mom came over, and we had fun, just us.

Whew! We are now in full countdown mode. Wrapping the last of our gifts. Enjoying a few more Christmas movies.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

And with all of the talk about counting down to Christmas. The activities. The crafts.

The happy, smiling, photographs. It *looks* like the most blissful, joyous season ever.

And it can be. But it can be tough too.

And we don't always see that side on social media.

Like. Is it just me, or do children find it EXTRA difficult to get along in December?

It feels like we need an attitude check, daily.
Me, included.

Finances.

This one doesn't need a lot of explanation, does it?

Finances can be extra tight in December.

And when you're in love with all the decorations, the pretties, the White Chocolate Peppermint M&Ms {ahem}, the stuff that you're inundated with starting the day after Halloween. Well, it surely makes it hard not to covet, doesn't it? {Or perhaps that's just me}.

The missing.

It sure can be difficult to be filled with joy when someone {or multiple someones} are missing from your holidays. You miss them every single day of the year. Every single minute of the day. But, man, the missing seems to be exponential when it's Christmas, and you can't hug them, hold them close, tell them you love them. And equally painful: not being able to ease that pain for others. Not being big enough, strong enough. It's a daily struggle, to be sure. But so much harder during the holidays, when you're trying to hold it together. Trying to make it magical for the littles. And you feel like you fail at it time and time again.

And all of the insecurities. All of the doubts. All of the worries.

Those don't just take a hike because it's Christmas.

If anything, they are multiplied as well.

I love living in a small town. And I hate living in a small town.

I think I'd love it a lot more if I hadn't grown up here ~ so much past to contend with.

Yes, hello, my name is Liz, and at 34 years old, I *still* care {a LOT} about what others think.
And you know what, people can be mean. And people can hurt. And I have an extra heaping of sensitive feelings.

Nope, that's not stressful at all.

So, while we are having good days, making lots of memories, and trying our best to make the most of what we've been given, sometimes it's a relief to just be real. Not have to paste on that smile.

Admit that it's difficult. And hold tight to the knowledge that God will see us through.

So, here's a big squeeze from me to you ~ just in case you need one too ♥